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For well over 40 years, “Arh Albert” as he was affectionately known, gave faithful service to the Hunslet club as player, committee man and secretary-manager. He was
captain of the team which won all four cups in 1907-8.
Coming from a Stourton farming family he was the youngest but one of five brothers, four of whom at one period played together in the same Hunslet team. He made his debut, at full back, as a 16 year old in October 1888. Later that season he moved into the centre where he remained for some years before he settled at half back where his experience and skill along with the might of the forwards and speed of the backs told such a tale in the clubs greatest season.
Albert kept no record of his points scoring feats however he is believed to have kicked nearly 1000 goals, including 14 from 15 attempts against Dudley Hill at Parkside. He is remembered by an older generation as a drop kick specialist and is credited with having dropped over 200 goals in his great career, 5 in one match.
In his last full season in the game, the “four cups” season, Albert then aged 36 played in 42 games, scored 5 tries and kicked a new Northern Union record of 101 goals.
After his playing career ended he served on the committee until, in 1924, he was appointed secretary-manager, a post he held for 7 years.
It is difficult to do justice to the career of Albert Goldthorpe, “the gentleman of Yorkshire football,” he was the most popular rugby footballer in Yorkshire, to the local fans he was a hero in an age when heros were just that.
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W A L T E R G O L D T H O R P E Walter was the youngest of the five brothers who had so much to do with Hunslet’s success in the late 1890’s and early 1900’s. He joined the club in 1889 when he was 16 and settled down as full back, later moving to the centres. In his 18th and final season with the club, the “four cups” season, he played 33 games scoring 9 tries and kicking 7 goals.
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J A M E S , J O H N & W I I L I A M G O L D T H O R P E JAMES GOLDTHORPE
James was the second of the brothers who played for the club in the early days. He played in the threequarters. In the 1892 Yorkshire cup final, at Huddersfield, he scored two tries. One a memorable length of the field effort after having collected the ball under his own posts. (Final score Hunslet 21 Leeds 0)
His playing career was brought to a premature close because of injury, however he became secretary at Parkside, a post he held until 1907 when he moved north of the river.
JOHN GOLDTHORPE
John was the middle of the 5 brothers and in 1892 he shared the distinction of twice playing in the same Hunslet team as 3 of this other brothers.
WILLIAM GOLDTHORPE
William was the eldest of the brothers and the first of them to play for Hunslet. It was his association with the club led his younger brothers to following him there and the great era that was to follow.
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